Arathi Basin Weekend!

Now that the anguish that is WSG weekend has passed, we can get to winning Arathi Basin!

Start:

If you are 6 short when those gates open... HOPE you q'd for AV at the same time >.<

Given equal starting numbers, the following is what I notice as working very well.

As Horde, we have far easier access to Blacksmith(BS) than Alliance does. Using this, we rush BS, Lumber Mill (LM) and Farm.

Rushing Farm is a no brainer. Rushing BS is a must. I have Macro'd the following.

/bg GROUP 1 take BS!
/bg GROUP 2 take LM!
/bg GROUP 3 take Farm!
/bg GROUP 3 only needs 2 people to defend farm at this time. 1 Person from Group 3 go to BS. 2 People from group 3 go to LM.

Here are my reasonings:

LM is almost always the first contact. Alliance get there the same time we do. BS is usually second and there are scrapping runs on Farm.

I usually, when I feel like leading AB, stay at LM. I can see the entire map save the Mine. WE DO NOT GIVE A F(#$ ABOUT THE MINE, right? I defend LM with 1 other. Usually, I will try and get a pally or shammy to hang with me but I will take whatever. I have noticed that Alliance really really feel BS is key 80% of the games I play. If they can't get that they will go via Mine to Farm.

The initial burst... So you should have 7 people at LM at the start and 6 at BS with 2 defenders at the Farm. This should be enough to take any and all people coming at these nodes. What about Zerging you ask? Sure, it could happen. It doesn't happen very often where they Zerg with all 15. I have never seen Alliance take Horde in equal amounts. If you have 7 at LM and they have 7... we win. If we have 7 at LM and they have 10, they are not getting BS away from us and can't do a real assault on Farm if they have left defenders at the Stables.

Side Note: Jumping off LM to help BS faster!

THIS DOES NOT WORK!! If you control LM and you jump to your death heading towards BS, you REZ at LM!

By the time Alliance has been stomped into the ground at LM. You need to start leading the battle from your perch. I like to look at the map and BITCH out whoever I see went to MINE cuz they got bored or didn't pay attention.

Look... I used not to BITCH in channel, but if you don't take an active role in BG's you can lose real quick. Even if that acting role is a response "I am on Def too! Meeting at IB with you!" it helps people to know that there is coordination and solidarity.

So then,

We control BS, LM, and Farm. What next?

The Zerg starts.

Alliance will try and overrun you. This is why YOU STAY YOUR POST AND DEFEND! You do not need to 5 cap to win... I really shouldn't have to talk about the MINE at this point do I? 5 people at each of the bases guarantees no caps at least til reinforcements get there. You will never be taking on more than 11 in my experience because the usually leave 2 defenders at Stables and that Stupid MINE! 5v11 gives at least 20 secs for the fresh 6 ( Sending 3 from LM and BS each) to get there and finish clean up.

What if the Zerg wins?! and takes Farm!!

Look people... it happens. If all 15 just have to have Farm.... take Stables! But! kept your triangle until you have a nice lead of 500-600. After this kinda of lead their morale is down and they are gonna start leaving. After 600-700 lead you can start going Offense and capping other place because you have enough time to get whatever is taken back.

I'll tell you after this kind of lead... they will DEFEND their 2 bases to the death and beyond... very little will they go around and try and backdoor with more than 3-4, but you have left at least 2 people as defenders for harassment purposes right?

Horde Wins!

Other notes of interest.

FIGHT ON THE FLAG!

DO NOT GIVE CHASE! Let them go somewhere else!

FIGHT ON THE FLAG DOES NOT MEAN "LET HUNTERS ANS MAGES AND LOCKS TAKE YOU FROM RANGE!"

IF YOU ARE LEADING... FIGHT... BUT STAY AT LM. You are no defense.

DO NOT CHARGE INTO 5 ALLIANCE ALONE... this is not Heroic... it is STUPID! Go find the group that is rezzing or head to where they are heading.

USE THE MINIMAP!

USE DEBUFFS WARRIORS! DEMO SHOUT/ THUNDERCLAP/ PIERCING HOWL... THESE REALLY HELP OUT IN A BG.

LOVE THE FEAR BOMB! RESPECT THE FEAR BOMB!

IT IS OK TO USE RETALIATION/ SHIELD WALL/ RECKLESSNESS in a BG! I PROMISE!

Side note ( it is especially ok when used to take out a priest or druid)

GOOD LUCK and HAPPY HONOR FARMING :)